Method of treating textiles



METHOD OF TREATING TEXTILES Filed June 11, 1925 Raftented Apr. 2.6, 1927.

^ UNITED STES QFF'ICE.-

. FREDERICK BENEDICT VOEGELI, OF EASTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

METHOD or TREATING TEXTILES.

application med :une 11, 19ans. serial No. 36,558.

method of treating the textile goods Subsc-- quent to the subjection of the goods to hot caustic baths and cooling elfects, in order to obtain several advantages in the processing and results obtained, including the thorough stretching of the goods without injury thereto, the control of the lengthwise stretching of the goods, the thorough washing of the goods and the recovery of the caustic soda.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be apparent as the invention is more fully explained, theinvention resides in the method as hereinafter pointed out and claimed, it being understood that changes and variations can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein the figure is a diagrammatical view, portions being shown in side elevation and portions in vertical section.

In the embodiment of the invention as illustrated and described, the apparatus is intended especially for the treatment of cloth or woven textiles.

In carrying out the process, the cloth 10 coming from the singer moves through a tank 14 containing hot caustic soda or potassium solution, or other alkaline solution, which is heated to a temperature up to 100 degrees Celsius or centigrade. The cloth moves in a zig-Zag path within the tank 14 downwardly and upwardly repeatedly into and out of the solution, by passing around the upper and lower rollers 15' and 16, and after passing through the solution in `the tank 14 the cloth passes through a cold caustic soda or similar solution in a 'companionl tank 1?', squeezing rolls 18 being disposed between the two tanks between which the cloth passes so as to squeeze the solution from the cloth back into the tank 14. -From the rolls 18 the cloth passes under rollers 25 submerged in the solution in the tank 17, and from the rollers 25 the cloth passes partly around a roll 22 of a mangle 23. Said mangle has a second roll 26 (and more rolls if desired) and the cloth passes between said rolls 22 and 26.

After leaving the mangle 23 the cloth passes around, in a zig-zag path, a series of cooling rolls or drums 27 which cool the cloth down to the required temperature of -about 5 to 10 degrees Celsius. This cooling of the cloth is essential in order to obtain the mercerizing of the cloth, inasmuch as the use of the hot caustic solution will not mercerize the cloth. However, by subjecting the cloth to the cooling effect after the lhot caustic baths, the cloth will be mercerized, and the temperature of the rolls 27 is regulated and controlled to produce a uniform cooling of the cloth to the desired low temperature. These rolls 27 may be cooled in any suitable manner, such as by passing cold water through them, as disclosed in the laforesaid application.

From the rolls or drums 27 the cloth passes the expanding rollers 28, which expand or stretch the cloth.

As described up to this point,'the process is somewhat similar to that disclosed in the aforesaid Patent No. 1,577,393, and the apparatus and process are modified as will presently appear. Between the mangle 23 and cooling rolls 27, the cloth passes over guide rollers 40 and under a guide roller41, the guide roller 41 being partly submerged in water contained .in a water box or tank 42. Also, between the drums 27 and expanding rollers 28, the cloth passes under a guide roller 43 partly submerged in water yin a water box or tank 44. The cloth in passing through the water in the boxes or tanks 42 and 44 will assist in gelatinizing the cloth which is impregnated with the strong causcation is modified, up to Thus, the process as disclosed in said applie point of reaching the expanding rollers 28, by subjecting 4the cloth after'the hot caustic soda baths to a cold caustic soda bath, and in running the cloth through water prior to reaching and after leaving the coolmg drums or rolls 27,

the advantages of which' have alread beenmash or. squeeze the cloth tightly between them. y

From the expanding rollers 28, of which there are five as shown, the cloth passes between the mangle rolls 45 and 46 in order to subject the cloth to heavy pressure after leaving the stretching rollers 28, so as to set the stretch in the cloth. The cloth then passes around a guide roller 50 and a second set of expanding rollers 51, 'and from the rollers 51 passes between the mangle rolls 46 and 47. The stretching rollers 51 again stretch the cloth and the mangle rolls 46 and 47 press the cloth in order to set the stretch therein obtained by the rollerss 51. This stretching-and pressing of the cloth is repeated several times. Thus, from the rolls 46 and 47 the vcloth passes around a guide v roller 52 and another set of stretching rollers closed in said Patent No. 1,577,393, and also 53, from which the cloth passes between the mangle rolls 47 and 48. The cloth then passes around a guide roller 54 and a4 fourth set of stretchingl rollers 55, and then between the mangle rolls 48 and 49. The stretching rollers 28, 51, 53 and 55 may be of any suitable kind, being preferably of the kind disin my copending application Serial No. 751,135, filed Nov. 20, 1924. Thus, before the cloth passes through each of the four nips of the mangle it is stretched or expanded, in order to stretch the cloth and set the successive stretches in the cloth. However, it is not possible to set the full stretch in any cloth, and the cloth contracts somewhat notwithstanding the application of ,high pres-` sure. Consequently the stretching and squeezing is repeated to obtain a maximum stretch. y From the lastroll 49 of the mangle, th cloth passes over a guide roller 56 and thence downwardly under guide rollers 57 and 58 in succession, for the returnof the cloth through the nips of the mangle and corresponding stretchers. Thus, from the roller 58 the 47, expanding rollers 53,' rolls 47 and 48, rollers 55, and rolls 48 and 49. This operation is repeated several times. Asr shown, the cloth is returned four times to the .cloth againpasses between the rolls 4.5` and 46, expanding rollers 51, mangle rolls 46 and mangle, so that vthere are -five layers or thlcknesses passing through the mangle and expanders. Thus, after reaching the roll 49 the ksecond time, the cloth passes guidero'llers 56 and 57 and under the roller 58; after reaching 'the roll 49 the third time the cloth passes over guide rollers 56b and 57b and under the roller 58; andl after reaching the roll 49 the fourth time, the cloth passes guide rollers 56c and 57'? and under the roller 58. After reaching the roll 49 the fifth time the cloth passes through the pot eye 62. The i rollers 56, 56, 56" and 56 are-located at the top while the rollers 57, 57, 57 b, and 57 are located at the bottom, with four vertical runs of the cloth between the up er and lower sets of rollers spaced apa-rt. pray pipes 59 are disposed between the vertical runs of the.

cloth between Vthe up er and lowerrollers 56, 56a, seb, 566v and 5 57, 57h, 57, respectively. Cold or hot water is sprayed from the pipes 59 against the cloth, so as to' wash the cloth and remove the caustic soda therefrom. Water spray pipes 60 are also preferably located immediately in advance of.

and 60, so as to catch the liquid w ich is squeezed out of or which runs down from the cloth during the expanding, mangling and washing operations.

From the pot eye. 62 the cloth is run into the usual kiers (not shown) or if the cloth is intended to be rolled, a rolling attachmentl may be used.

The lengthwise stretch of the cloth is obf tained by allowing the mangle 63 to run a. triiie faster than the rolls 22, 26, 27 and other parts of the apparatus which the cloth passes before reaching the mangle 63. Furthermore, the cloth has a tendency to shrink in length' and will therefore run taut. The cloth is therefore stretched lengthwise as it passes through the apparatus. When passing each set of expanding rollers the cloth. is not only stretched in width but is also transverse tension. On account of the stretched condition of the cloth and the tendency for same to contract both longitudinally and transversely after leaving each Set of expanding rollrs'the severallayers'may run throughV the mangle 63 at substantially lul-5 given a longitudinal stretch because of the' the same speed, thereby facilitating the operation of the mangle on the cloth. As the cloth asses the expanding rollers each set of rol ers makes the effort to give the cloth a maximum stretch, but on account of the contraction of' the cloth after leaving the set of ex anding rollers the stretching effort must Ee repeated, a'nd the stretching action is repeated simultaneously on the several layers of the cloth in the mangle 63. The simultaneous stretching of several layers is of advantage, inasmuch as the layers contact tightly with one another a'nd have a tendency to assist one another in the stretching and setting actions. Thus, during the repeated stretching and setting actions there 1s a repetition in the effort to bring the cloth to a maximum stretch. If no washing of the cloth is desired by means of the spra'y pipes 59 and 60, the tank-6l will collect a strong caustic soda solution squeezed from the cloth, and this liquid can, after simple filtration, be used over again.

This process and apparatus provide for increased production, and a reduction in the number of attendants or workmen. cloth will be thoroughly stretched without injury, both transversely and lengthwise, and it is possible to control the stretch in length. By running the cloth two or more thicknesses through the mangle 63 and stretchers, each fibre in the cloth receives a stretching action.

Furthermore, the cloth is mashed and the interstices closed up by the mangling 'operation. For cloth to be bleached, no water -for Washing is necessary, inasmuch as the passing of the cloth repeatedly through the nips of the mangle 63 will squeeze out the necessary caustic soda, leaving only enough in the cloth required for the boiling operation preceding the bleaching. The recovery of the caustic soda in the cloth is simplified, and subsequent operations of calendering in many cases are unnecessary. Furthermore, the apparatus requires comparatively small space, and the operation is continuous from the singel' to the kiers. Less materials are required for the treatment of the cloth than' with previous processes, and the results ob-` tained are favorable.

It is possible to use the apparatus and process for the treatment of yarn, inasmuch as yarn may be run through the apparatus, and the apparatus may be simplified or modified, if desired, when used for yarn only. When treating yarn the longitudinal stretching thereof is employed, without transverse stretching, and this may be obtained either by the tendency for the yarn to shrink lengthwise, or the rollers which the yarnl passes in succession may be run at higher speeds in progression, such a's suggested hereinbefore to obtain the longitudinal stretching of the cloth. The yarn in being returned through the mangle 63 may have the Aadjacent portions hunched or held together, either in layers or disposed side by4 y side.. .y

Having thus described the invention, what v in succession and. cooling the goods.

2. The\\steps in the method of mercerizing textile goods comprising subjecting the goods to hot and cold caustic baths in succession, cooling the and washing the goo 3. The steps in the method of mercerizing textile goods lcomprising subjecting the goods to hot and cold caustic baths in succession and passing the goods across cooling members.

4. The steps in Vthe method of mercerizing textile goods comprising subjecting the goods to hot and cold caustic baths in succession, passing the goods across cooling menbers, and expandlng and washing the goo s.

5. The steps in the method of mercerizi'ng textile goods comprising subjecting the goods to hot and cold caustic baths in succession, squeezing andfmangling the goods, and cooling and stretching the goods.

6. The steps in the method of mercerizing textile goods comprising subjecting the goods to hot and cold caustic'baths in suc'- cession, squeezing the goods between such (goods and expanding baths, mangling the goods after the last j bath, and cooling and stretching the goods.

`7. The steps in the method of mercerizing textile goods comprising subjecting the goods to hot and cold caustic baths in succession, subjecting the goods to water, then cooling, the goods, then subjecting the goods to water, and then expanding, squeezing and washing thel goods.

8. The steps in the methodl of mercerizing textile goods comprising subjecting the 11o goods to hot and cold caustic baths in suc' cession, subjecting the goods to water, then passing the goods across cooling members, then subjectinl the goods to Water, and then expanding an mangling the goods.

9. The steps in the method of mercerizing textile goods comprising subjecting the goods to caustic baths, coolin the goods, and stretching and mangling t e goods repeatedly.

10. The steps in the method of mercerizing textile .goods comprising subjecting the goods to caustic baths, cooling the oods, and stretching and mangling the goo s and returning the goods for repeated stretching and mangling in a plurality of layers.

1 1. The steps in the method of mercerizing textile goods comprising, subjecting the goods to caustic baths, cooling the goods, stretching and mangling the goods'repeat- 130 se A a edly, and 'then returning the .goods for reedly, then returning the goods for re ated peatedstretching and manghng in e plustretching and vmangling in a plura ity of rality of layers. layers, and washing the goods duringits 10 12. The steps in the method 'of mercerizreturn for stretching and mangling. 5 ing textile goods comprising subjecting the In testimony whereof I hereunto laiiix my goods to caustic baths, cooling the goods, slgnature,

stretching end mangling the goods repeat- FREDERICK-BENEDICT VOEGELI. 

